Sunday, April 24, 2011

I have been so busy that I almost posted an empty post so that there would be a place for other odd shotters to link, but I decided that this was an odd enough image. I am having fun with my moon roof.

Friday, April 22, 2011

Another Good Friday post, from Dina at Jerusalem Hills Daily Photo. This is news from the Middle East that you will not see on the networks. Read it here. (The photo is not related to the news story--it is an addition for the previous post.)

Monday, April 18, 2011

Hubby pointed out the illusion of the fish in the tank in the hospital waiting room. Viewed straight on you would see four fish. Viewed directly from the end you would see that there are four fish. Viewed at the corner, you see each fish twice--well, except for that one at the bottom which you barely see peeking around the corner on the left (and you probably missed if you came up with an answer of seven).

If you saw five, you probably missed the dark one in the bottom altogether, and the one circled in blue on the left hardly looks like a fish.

I think it's odd that the one circled in red seems to be in exactly the same pose from both angles.

Saturday, April 16, 2011

All who see me scoff at me;they mock me with parted lips, they wag their heads:“He relied on the LORD; let him deliver him,let him rescue him, if he loves him.”

My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?

Indeed, many dogs surround me,a pack of evildoers closes in upon me;They have pierced my hands and my feet;I can count all my bones.

My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?

They divide my garments among them,and for my vesture they cast lots.But you, O LORD, be not far from me;O my help, hasten to aid me.

My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?

I will proclaim your name to my brethren;in the midst of the assembly I will praise you:“You who fear the LORD, praise him;all you descendants of Jacob, give glory to him;revere him, all you descendants of Israel!”

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

This block is known as Mexican Star. Best laid plans of mice and women--my intentions were to make my sample today and post a photograph, but hubby is in the hospital for a couple of days and I spent the day there with him.

I haven't participated in Saturday's PhotoHunt for quite some time, but how could I resist sharing this, one of my favorite tree pictures, taken last summer while hiking along Hadrian's Wall in Yorkshire, UK.

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

We had come full circle plus some, and found the turnoff to the viewpoint which we had missed on our first pass along that way and we found this view into Marsh Unit 1.

We parked so we could get closer.

This must be the place!!!

We knew that the cranes moved around to different areas of the refuge at different times of the day, but this was a good sign. (no pun intended---well, maybe an advantageous opportunity for a good pun.)

There in the bottomland they were--thousands and thousands of them. This was quite a good distance away--the binoculars and zoom lens were essential to the view.

A real telephoto lens would have been even better, as this is the closest view I could get with the camera. We could definitely hear them even at that distance.You can see a close-up of a sandhill crane here.

We had driven around in circles and figure eights, and did give our new All Wheel Drive a good test on the gravel roads. It handled like a dream in some places we might have hesitated to take one of the other cars. After seeing the cranes, we headed for home with a stop for dinner. The Othello Sandhill Crane Festival 2012 is already on our calendar.

Monday, April 4, 2011

After spending some time watching the the enormous gaggle of geese, we determined to try the other location where we were told we would find the cranes. So off we go again, through more of the Mid-Columbia farmland.

We followed the map and went north toward the Potholes Reservoir, then turned and headed across the causeway atop O'Sullivan Dam. Wind ablowing, the water in the lake was rough. We were glad we weren't there for fishing.

Partway across the dam was a rough turnout and evidence of a road down into Marsh Unit 1. We parked and went through the turnstile next to the gate.

It was pretty obvious that vehicle traffic was not welcome, at least at this time.

We hiked down a way into the area, but, not knowing how far we would have to go, and not prepared for a lot of hiking yet, we went back to the car.

When we got to the other side of the dam, we found the road where we had come out on our first attempt. This sign was no surprise, but we had not had such a warning when we started from the other end.

Now, when we had been traveling north on that road earlier, I had seen out of the corner of my eye what looked like a piece of black plastic or a ablack garbage bag stuck on a branch in the pond.

Whoa! Stop! Wait! What is this?

Huge black bird. After a few snaps he decided he didn't link us hanging out there, so he took off.
My research suggests that he is a Great Ccormorant. Compare this picture--right click and open in a new window so you can look side by side. If someone can identify him more accurately, I would appreciate it.

The ducks at this pond didn't want me to photograph them either. You can just make them out in the center of the picture flying away from me.

About Me

I am a Grandma blogger, posting some regular stuff on some regular blogs--photos and memes. Most recently I have primarily participated in a weekly header challenge, but hopefully I will get back to more regular blogging again.